After testing Oguri Cap a few times at the training grounds, Kitahara had been feeling heavy-hearted for several days.
The source of that weight was the test results.
Oguri Cap's best time in the 800-meter practice was 52.1 seconds, a full 0.4 seconds slower than Fujimasa March's record of 51.7 seconds.
At first glance, 0.4 seconds didn't seem like much. But in the context of an actual race, it was enormous.
A quick calculation: if Oguri Cap needed 52.1 seconds to run 800 meters, her speed was 15.35 meters per second. Multiply that speed by Fujimasa's time of 51.7 seconds, and the result was 793.6 meters.
In other words, if they raced under those conditions, when Fujimasa crossed the finish line, Oguri Cap would still be 6.4 meters behind.
Six meters—a gap anyone could see with the naked eye.
"How could this be…? It doesn't make sense. Oguri Cap doesn't have any leg issues now. Her physical fitness and talent are both outstanding. How could she be over six meters slower than Fujimasa?"
In his single dormitory room, Kitahara furrowed his brow, muttering to himself as he pulled books from the shelves, his mind stuck on that "six meters."
"Could it be a problem of track adaptation? No… shouldn't be. From what she's said, whether it's turf or dirt, she's always had similar results. So adaptability isn't the issue."
"She also doesn't seem the type to slack off just because it's practice. Every time she finishes, she's excited—no sign of holding back."
"Then the start? That's one thing I did notice. Oguri Cap has never competed formally. She has no concept of pre-race details, especially the start. She often messes up there… Yes, in the other world, she really did have trouble breaking from the gate early in her career."
"So, could that six-meter gap be purely from poor starts? Just more start drills, then? …No, it can't be that simple. Still, she definitely needs focused training on starts."
As he pondered and flipped through books, time slipped away unnoticed.
Knock, knock, knock.
The sound of someone at the door pulled Kitahara from his thoughts. Rubbing his tired eyes, he stumbled to the door. On the way, he glanced out the window.
Huh? It's bright already? Didn't I just come back from Oguri Cap's training last night?
The realization surprised him, adding to his exhaustion. But when he opened the door, he immediately recognized the visitor.
"…Oguri Cap? Why are you here?"
He was baffled.
Standing outside was Oguri Cap, silver-gray hair tied back, dusty as always, like she'd just finished a run. Kitahara had grown used to seeing her this way.
But at his question, Oguri Cap didn't answer—instead, she asked back with a puzzled look.
"Today's the first day of school. If I didn't come, Mama would think I got expelled. That would make her sad."
Though she asked it like a question, her gaze carried the faintest hint of are you stupid?
S-school started?
Kitahara froze. He shook his head a few times before his foggy brain caught up. Yes, today was indeed the start of term.
"…Sorry. I've been so busy these past few days I completely forgot. You must've attended the entrance ceremony yesterday? I'm really sorry—I promised I'd go with you… and I let you down."
It had been Kitahara who brought it up in training days earlier. As a trainer at the academy, he was supposed to attend the entrance ceremony anyway. Accompanying Oguri Cap would've been natural.
But, consumed by thoughts of her training results, he had tossed aside many things—including the start of school.
He quickly realized too: as a trainer who had always projected a slovenly, unmotivated image, perhaps no one even thought to remind him.
With a sigh, he apologized again, then forced a smile.
"Well, since you've already started school… you must've been assigned to a class, right? Met your classmates? Oh, and what about your dormitory? Are you settled in? Is your room comfortable? How about your roommates?"
The string of questions was partly to cover his guilt, partly to change the subject.
Whether in his old world or this one, Kitahara had always admired Oguri Cap—not just as a racehorse, but as a symbol of grit and perseverance. The last thing he wanted was to leave her with a bad impression.
But he soon found he needn't have worried.
"Oh! My classmates are really nice to me! And the dorm is super comfortable! It's a really big room, with fluffy blankets and pillows! There's even fluorescent lights! I don't have a roommate, but it's still amazing!"
Oguri Cap clenched her fists before her chest, glowing with excitement. It was obvious she hadn't given a thought to Kitahara's broken promise.
…Maybe this airhead already forgot I even said I'd go with her.
Kitahara chuckled bitterly to himself. Still, a thought struck him.
After brooding in his dorm for days, perhaps he should go out and clear his mind. So he suggested:
"Sounds great. How about you show me your dorm? Your mother asked me to look after you—I can't break that promise. Let me see what you're missing in your room. I'll get it prepared for you."
As he spoke, he realized he sounded like an overprotective father checking on his daughter's first day at school.
"Mm, alright."
Oguri Cap clearly liked his concern. Her excitement softened into a warm smile.
But soon her expression shifted into one of trouble.
"Wait, no, that won't work."
Kitahara blinked. "Why not? Is it inconvenient?"
Oguri Cap scratched her head. "Because… there's the entrance mock race later. I have to compete, so I can't take you to the dorm right now."
At the word "race," her eyes lit up again, brimming with energy.
Just then, an announcement rang out from outside the dorms.
"This semester's first mock training race will begin in thirty minutes. All participating horse girls, trainers, and staff, please proceed to the dirt track to prepare."
It was the usual practice after the start of term—a mock race. It tested the horse girls' base qualities, gave them experience with the course, and helped trainers scout talent.
But Kitahara already had Oguri Cap. With her, he didn't need to look for anyone else.
Feeling satisfied with his earlier decision to recruit her, Kitahara smiled.
"Alright then, we'll talk about the dorm later. Let's head to the mock race first."
"Mm! I'll take you there right now." Oguri Cap immediately started toward the door.
Kitahara didn't delay, closing his own door and following her.
Walking beside her down the dormitory corridor, Kitahara was about to make small talk about racing and training when Oguri Cap suddenly tilted her head and asked, very seriously:
"Kitahara… lately… have I been troubling you?"